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His courtesy was somewhat extravagant. He would write and thank people who wrote to thank him for wedding presents and when he encountered anyone as punctilious as himself the correspondence ended only with death.
Evelyn Waugh
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Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote highlights the extreme politeness and formality in social interactions, particularly regarding gratitude.

Evelyn Waugh's quote illustrates a character whose obsession with polite correspondence makes him overly meticulous. This extravagant courtesy not only demonstrates his adherence to social norms but also points to the unending nature of such formalities, suggesting that relationships defined by strict etiquette may lack genuine warmth and connection.

Themes

CourtesyPolitenessGratitudeRelationshipsEtiquette

In practice

Example use cases

In a wedding speech, to emphasize the importance of acknowledging gifts and kindness.

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